5-rupee brawl ends in firing

Paradip, May 7: A quarrel over payment of Rs 5 as parking fee at a religious congregation provoked two persons to fire at two others near the Jagatsinghpur district headquarters township.

The incident occurred at Dhia Sahi Bazaar near Tulashigadi village, where a yagnya (Hindu ritual) was organised last evening.

The two accused, who have criminal antecedents, became involved in a quarrel with 21-year-old Jagadish Khatua, who had opened a parking lot for bicycles and motorbikes. The accused persons refused to pay parking fee. When Khatua went on insisting on collection of parking fee from them, the enraged men opened fire at him from a country-made revolver.

Khatua sustained bullet injuries, while another 72-year-old man, Gajendra Biswal, also suffered a bullet injury. Both were taken to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Local residents caught one of the assailants while the other managed to flee.

The one who has been caught has been identified as Lipu. A native of Berhampur in Ganjam district, he is a key member of a crime syndicate.

Police have seized the country-made revolver and fifteen rounds of live cartridges from him. “The criminals were also running an extortion racket. We have launched a manhunt to nab the absconding person and other members of their gang,” said Satish Kumar Ray, inspector, Jagatsinghpur police station.